Updates..3,4,5?

So I want to write a quick post to update people on a few things... I am in the process of putting together my next big post having to do with my half-marathon..hopefully it will be ready soon. In the meantime I want to tell you a few things!

1. Shoe drive...we will, one day soon (as soon as it freaking warms up!!) sort, count and package them up. I have to get them out of my car and Sherri's garage! And yes Margie and Sandra I know I have shoes to collect from both of you..lets set a date to meet!

2. The running has begun..thanks to Tammy and Mark for being my loyal running partners although I must admit I would rather run in Fairmont then Edmonton anytime..too bad about the 6 hr drive!




3.Haiti had a relatively calm run off election for which the preliminary results will be available March 31...here's hoping for positive, lasting changes...

4. I had the privilege of meeting one special family a couple of weeks ago. Bailey and Tim Sousa had decided that for their daughters birthday they were not going to ask for presents for her. Instead Bailey heard about me and my work in Haiti thru a good friend Corinna and David Dooley (my wonderful,soon to be leaving neighbors!) and decided to ask for things that are needed in Haiti. The guests were extremely generous and as a result I will be sending off a large box to the people at Real Hope for Haiti (to put in their container) this week. Thank you little Avreilla, Bailey, Tim and all those who contributed!!




5. I have talked a fair amount about my friend Barbie, whom I met in Haiti a year ago this month and whom is one of my mentors. She is currently living/volunteering in Haiti and has written once again a thought provoking and meaningful blog post. Here it is to read..
http://barbieboots.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=9

6. last but not least thank you to all of you for your kinds words over the past few weeks...I love all animals (its why I choose to not eat them) and I especially loved my little Molly...but she did not suffer and although i really miss her greeting me at the door or the pitter patter of her feet I know I did the right thing by her..



Ok off to work on that other post I promised you...hope all is well for each of you!!
(oh and I am very aware that my Hipstamatic App obsession is a little out of hand but hey we all have our vices..right!)




XOXO Night!

Invictus

OUT of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul

International Womens Day and Cool Humanitarian #2!

There are two ways of spreading light ...To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.~ Edith Wharton

About a month ago I put out my 40 before 40 list and slowly but surly I have been looking at my goals and trying to sort out plans...So despite the crazy cold that seems destined to continue on for months I have decided to tackle the goal that will see me spending the most time outdoors, training for a half marathon! Last week I signed up for the Chicago 1/2 which is in Sept, I figured that the weather might be similar there at that time so as to not stress my body too much (insert sarcasm here). SO this week a plan has been formulated, schedules drawn up and long johns pulled from the closet and a cause found..yes a cause..I'd like to introduce the second cool humanitarian and hopefully a beneficiary of any funds I can raise in my attempt to accomplish my goal!!


When I went to Haiti for the first time in March I was 35 years old and although I have travelled to different places over the world this was my first real medical trip to a third world country... Sarah Wallace is 24, she has lived in the seaside town of Jacmel,Haiti since she was 21. Sarah had travelled to Haiti as a younger girl and decided it was where she needed to be. She came home to Alberta, got her education in mid-wifery and returned to Haiti to live and work amongst the Haitian people...now I'm not sure about you but at the age of 21 I was having the time of my life, working (in a bar), going to school (taking my BA), living with 2 other girlfriends and basically having a fantastic time. I know in life it takes different amounts of time for each person to find their calling, passion (if they ever do) and even then it may take years to actually follow the steps/roads that let us fulfill that passion..that's what is so amazing about Sarah to me.

She's living her passion, her dream....

Sarah's organization is called Olive Tree Projects. Her primary purpose is to provide excellent care to expectant mothers. It is been proven that providing women with pre and post natal care greatly improves the lives of the mothers and babies which in turn improves the health and vitality of families which in turn improves the community as a whole which in turn..you get the picture...


In addition to her midwife duties she runs a nutrition program teaching mothers of malnourished children while helping them provide nutritional supplements for the children while monitoring their growth. This past year she has started a girls soccer team (to hopefully help reduce the incidence of teen pregnancies) and she also has a boys work group (for boys 10-18) that make crafts to sell with the boys receiving 50% of the profits and having 50% put into savings until they finish school. Her website is here and I have completely enjoyed reading her blog. http://www.olivetreeprojects.com/about/

And all this at the age of 24!! Sarah does all this through donations and is in my opinion a living example of passion and dedication..

Such maturity and love from such a young women... amazing really, inspiring definitely! So I have been inspired to get my butt in gear and out of bed on those freezing mornings to hopefully benefit this young women and the people she serves!
I will run the half marathon and am asking anyone wanting/willing to help sponsor me and in turn sponsor Sarah and the people of Jacmel I would so appreciate it.

As things come together I will pass on information about donations etc. Olive Tree Projects are registered in both Canada and the States so tax reciepts will be able to be issued... stay tuned.

Oh this 100 Anniversary of International Womens Day I am so excited to be helping a fellow women in the struggle...

Cool Humanitarians #1

So as most of you know I started this blog as a way of communicating with friends and family while I was away in Haiti. Quite often I use it as a sounding board for things other then Haiti (and I hope you don't mind?!)..so considering I'm not in Haiti :( how about I change it up a bit?

Today, as I sat in my warm condo looking at the beautiful sunny yet freezing cold day my thoughts began to drift (away from all those "required readings" ugghh)and I thought about an event that's going on right now just east of Edmonton, which I will tell you about in a minute...and on the tail end of that thought another came about.. why not also use it to talk about the people I encounter personally and read about that are doing great things in this world, not just for Haiti but for all the world.
I would love to be able to have the time, money and energy to be involved in more causes then I am but just because they are not things I can be involved in doesn't mean I can't tell you about all the people and causes I encounter..maybe you might have some time to get involved.. So in addition to writing about Haiti I will also be posting here about different causes, volunteer opportunities and in general all the cool people doing great things for the world!

So the event that got me thinking this way is The World's Longest Hockey Game, currently being played just east of Edmonton at "Saiker's Acres". This game is being played by 40 individuals (including only 1 girl..but have a feeling that may change) 24 hours a day for 11 days straight. The goal of the game, aside from retaining the title of longest game in Guinness, is to raise $1 million dollars for a new linear accelerator (radiation machine) for the Cross Cancer. The game (number 4 played by these guys) is currently into day 8 and it is freaking cold out there today!! Blisters, frostbite, fatigue and you name it will happen to these guys and gal over the 11 days but as I witnessed first hand they will take it all is stride and prove their true Canadian spirit.

You can read more about it here http://www.worldslongestgame.com/ I had the privilege of meeting Brent while his wife Susan was in the Cross and I can tell you he truly is an amazing man! In 2005 (game #2) I volunteered at the game doing miscellaneous stuff and it was such a great experience. I will try and head out there at some point in the next few days to cheer them on..and maybe bring some hot, hot drinks...

So there we have it..my first shout-out to the cool humanitarians of the world... I have met many so get ready for more to come!

Enjoy your weeknd..stay safe and warm..

changes..part two..

I have not written in a long time..sorry about that. Life fills up time and stuff gets pushed to the back burner..So in my last post I spoke about need a change and the biggest one for me has occurred...

It was with a lot of sadness I left my job at the Cancer Hospital. I loved my job, I loved my colleagues, I loved my patients but I also know my limits and I was very close to mine when I decided to leave. Everyone that works in health care give of their hearts and souls..they work tirelessly to help people who are in very often the most trying times in their lives, they care for people as if they are their own family, they welcome the beginning of life and help with the ending of life...they carry patients,families and all their stories with them long after they go home at night...I love my job, I love the people I get to work with and for everyday but sometimes I run out of the give...and I am afraid that is where I found myself a couple of weeks ago...

The staff of the Cross are amazing,amazing people and I would not have been able to accomplish half of what I have in the last few years if it had not been for them. They are some of my best friends and I know they will be for the rest of my life. They have helped me grow as a nurse and more importantly as a human being and I thank them for that!

So I am off to something different..not bigger or better just different and I am looking forward to the change and growth that will come from this new job! Thanks to all of you for your well wishes!

Unfortunately with a change like this plans for other parts of my life have had to change also and I won't be able to go back to Haiti till the summer now...that is something that has me very sad today...I know this will be a good time for learning and saving and growing but I must admit I am longing to feel the hot sun on my face, smell the smells that only Haiti can produce, I long for the simplicity that becomes my life when I am there..I miss Rose and Olez..I miss Beth and all the people at Heartline...

The other day I was out and saw a card and have decided that although everyday I need to work towards my goalsand that I must not let things hold me back from going where I want to go in life, not all things will come to me as fast as I want them too!!

Patience Weedhopper patience..

changes..

Spent the early morning hours holding the hand of a dying man..third person dying on my third shift...and although a privilege of unspeakable terms, I know its time for a change... stay tuned!

3.5 years

I know this post isn't directly about Haiti but indirectly it is. You see the past year and the time I have spent there has opened my eyes to the fact that I am not living my life to the fullest and that is something that needs to change. I know a list may not ensure that I am living fully but it does provide this wayward soul with some direction.. so here goes..thanks in part to my time spent in Haiti and in part to the people I have met there and along the journey..

"It's time to take some risks, lise. Bold, calculated risks. The first step is knowing where you want to go. The second step is using your courage to put concrete goals into action. The universe is ready to help you out, but only if you set things in motion. Don't try to deny your fear; rather, take it by the hand and proceed on your adventure together. When you take action, you are welcoming your destiny."

I chuckled as I read this today..see I was working on a list, my 40 before 40..one inspired by many things/people but one that I know if I don't put down into writing will never happen, the things on the list that is...so here I am I guess being bold, calling up courage and moving forward with my life...

The past 2 years have been amazing for me. I have run the gamet of emotions from utter bliss to complete despair. And I want to go there again and again because I now know what it feels to be alive as a result of taking chances, most especially with my heart..

I once told a friend that we all play a role in shaping our destinies, I still believe that to my core. Sure we can get caught up in the events of everyday life and before you know it years have passed and you are either still in the same place or worse, fallen into a life that upon further inspection is not the one you want at all...

So as to not let my life slip away into a place I don't like nor want to be in I am going to be bold.. and finally put down into writing the things I want to do over at least the next 3.5 years..I figure if they are down in writing I will have more accountability.

So here is my 40 before (gulp) 40! 3.5 years to the day to complete...

Find my passion..find my song and sing it..

1. Get/start my Masters in Nursing with a focus on... yet to be determined

2. Learn guitar or piano (seriously have you seen the length of my fingers)

3. pay off my credit card and line of credit (might be hard..see # 1,4,13,19,27..)

4. return to Haiti___ times

5. attend an outdoor concert at Red Rocks

6. Run a half marathon to raise funds for ____ (ideas welcome )

7. spend 3 months without television

8. spend 6 months eating vegan

9. grow a garden in the collective garden across the street

10. get Rose and grandma's home finally built

11. send Rose and John Lee to a good school

12. Donate another 5% of my income to charity (start Jan2012)

13. Visit the Outer Banks (Sherri up for a trip?)

14. Grow my hair to a length where I can get it into a ponytail!

15. Give up coffee for 6 months and use all the $ I save towards...maybe #13 or 16

16. Start my own non-profit (big one I know and not sure which direction but thinking..)

17. write in my journal at least once a week..

18. find a volunteer job I love and volunteer at least once a week

19. See David Gray at Wang Theater in Boston

20. Start to collect Air Miles (I know right? What the..?)

21. Go to NYC with Sherri and attend a conference..well maybe..the conference

22. Spend 3-6 months working in the States

23. Read all books unread in my house (not necess before buying new ones)

24. Along the same lines as #23.. use up all lip glosses currently in circulation

25. Cross country ski for a season.

26. Make a decision about Rose....(maybe should be #1 and then most of this list would change..not that bold yet...)

27. Take a class on glass blowing

28. Get a tattoo

29. Be a little more gentle on myself and those around me.

30. learn to mediate (might make 29 easier)

31. Spend more time with my family

32. reduce my footprint..recycle more, switch to paperless whenever possible

33. learn creole

34. learn to sew/take a class or have a friend teach me..any takers?

35. fall in love again (not sure there should be a time limit on this)

36. paint my condo

37. take every opportunity to travel and connect with people..explore and enjoy life, live in the now...

38. do one thing that scares me at least once a week...as well as at least one act of random kindness a week (if not more often but its a start..)

39. take more pictures and put them in albums

40. Try and spend everyday working to make this world a better place even if its just in a small way; be grateful for all I have, know that I have enough even if its less then some it is so much more then others, appreciate my health, friends, family, security, warm beds, full cupboards and the ability to live this life to the fullest!

This list is by no means the only things I hope to do over the next 3.5 years nor is it in order and if you have anything to contribute please let me know. This is more for me then you guys (sorry) but feel free to keep me on track if you see me floundering!

"Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time wasted in disapproving of others"

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